Brush implement with interchangeability

ABSTRACT

A brush implement for connection to a shaft or handle of a cleaning device, includes a head component with bristles extending from a bottom surface thereof, a cover component releasably engageable with the head component, and a connector formed on the cover component for releasably attaching the shaft or handle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to cleaning brushes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention provides a brush implement that can be releasably attached to a suitable shaft or handle. It is particularly suitable when desiring to use a single shaft with interchangeable implements of differing functions, such as a brush and a mop. Of course, other applications are also possible. Various types of cleaning implements with detachable handles have long been known in the art; a good example being a handle that screws into a brush head component.

[0003] It is often desirable that not only should a brush implement connected to a shaft or handle be detachable, but also that the brush implement itself be able to be dismantled. This facilitates packaging and storage, and enables a supplier to keep a stock of components most likely to be in demand for replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention sets out to provide a brush implement that is simple to disassemble and easily attachable to a shaft or a handle.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a brush implement for connection to a shaft or a handle, the brush implement comprising a head component provided with bristles extending from a bottom surface thereof, a cover component releasably engageable with the head component, and a connector formed on the cover component for releasably attaching the brush implement to a shaft or handle.

[0006] In a brush implement according to the invention, therefore, a specific part can be easily replaced without resorting to renewing the entire implement.

[0007] Preferably, the cover component further comprises an opening in a bottom surface thereof, and the head component is insertable in the opening of the cover component. In this case, the cover component may further comprise a lip formed adjacent to the bottom surface thereof, the head component being receivable in the cover component up to the lip. The head component may also comprise a flange abuttable with a bottom edge of the cover component, and, in this case, preferably the flange of the head component is flush with the bottom surface thereof and extends around a side wall of the head component. These features advantageously allow the head component to be stably supported by the cover component in three axial directions of in use loading.

[0008] Preferably, the brush implement further comprises detent means for releasably engaging the cover component and the head component. The detent means may include at least one catch provided on the head component receivable in an associated aperture provided in the cover component. This provides for the case where the head component is snap-fittedly engageable with the cover component. Snap-fit engagement advantageously allows the brushy implement to be dismantled without the need for any special tools, and a replacement part to be fitted by hand.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cleaning device comprising a shaft or handle and a brush implement according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the shaft or handle is releasably attachable to the connector.

[0010] Preferably, the connector comprises either a male connector or a female connector, and an end of the shaft or handle attachable to the connector comprises the mating female connector or male connector which is not provided on the cover component, the male connector including a boss formed with an internal socket and an outer surface surrounding the socket, and the female connector having a central spigot, adapted to fit in screw-threaded attachment within the socket, and a shroud at least partly surrounding the spigot, the outer surface of the boss being formed with projections which are frictionally engageable with the inner surface of the shroud of the female connector.

[0011] Objects of the Invention

[0012] The objects of the present invention are:

[0013] a) to provide a brush implement in which the implement head may be readily separated from the handle;

[0014] b) to provide such an implement with a removable and replaceable head that may be selected for various brush forms;

[0015] c) to provide such an implement which is as fully secure as if the parts were not disconnectible; and

[0016] d) to provide such a brush implement which is fully satisfactory for the task and sturdy in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brush head of a first embodiment of a brush implement according to the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of the brush head;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a brush cover of the brush implement;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a bottom-side view of the brush cover; and

[0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a female connector provided on an end of a shaft or handle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0022] With reference to the drawings, the components of a brush implement of a cleaning device are preferably formed of plastics material and comprise a brush head 10, a brush cover 30 and a shaft or handle connector 42. The brush head 10 is generally cuboid and is provided with bristles 11 of a predetermined length extending from a bottom surface 14 thereof. The bristles 11 provide a means for cleaning, in this case brushing, scrubbing or sweeping, but such cleaning means may also be mop strands. If larger, they may be termed broom fibers. All of these cleaning fibers are considered with the described means for cleaning. The brush cover 30 has an opening 32 in a bottom surface 34 thereof, and the opening 32 is able to accept in releasable engagement pressed insertion of the brush head 10.

[0023] To enable the brush head 10 to be reliably located in the brush cover 30, the brush head 10 is provided with a flange 16 extending around a side surface 18 of the brush head 10. A bottom surface of the flange 16 is coplanar with the bottom surface 14, and the flange uniformly projects perpendicularly from the side surface 18 a distance sufficient to overlap the opening 32 in the brush cover 30 when the brush implement is in use.

[0024] To further aid in the reliable location of the brush head 10, the brush cover 30 has a preformed lip 36 adjacent to the bottom surface 34 extending therearound. The lip 36 is formed such that a top surface 20 of the brush head 10 nears an internal shoulder 38 as an upper surface 22 of the flange 16 abuts the bottom surface 34 of the brush cover 30. In this way, during use of the brush implement, lateral loading as well as vertical loading of the brush head 10 can be easily accommodated without the brush head 10 being displaced relative to the brush cover 30.

[0025] Detent means are provided for securely attaching the brush head 10 to the brush cover 30 in a releasable manner. In the illustrated example, the detent means comprises four snap fasteners 24 formed symmetrically about the top surface 20 of the brush head 10, and corresponding apertures 40 formed in the brush cover 30 at the shoulder 38 of the lip 36. In this way, the brush head 10 can be snap-fittedly engaged and removed from the brush cover 30 by hand without the requirement of any specific tools. Obviously, the detent means are not limited to snap-fasteners, and any type of fastening that allows releasable attachment may be used.

[0026] The shaft or handle connector 42 is integrally provided on a top surface of the brush cover 30, and releasably connects the brush implement to a shaft or handle 60 to produce the cleaning device. Typically, the connector 42 comprises a male connector 44 and an end of the shaft 60 comprises a mating female connector 62. The male connector 44 includes a boss 46 which is formed with an internal socket 48 and an outer surface 50 surrounding the socket 48. The female connector 62 is formed with a central spigot 64, adapted to fit in screw-threaded attachment within the socket 48 of the male connector 44, and a shroud 66 at least partly surrounding the spigot 64. Due to elongate ribbed projections 52 being formed on and adjacent to the outer surface 50 of the male connector 44 and the shroud 66 being formed with a slight diverging taper, a secure frictional engagement is obtainable when the two connectors 44 and 62 are releasably mated. The connectors need not necessarily be restricted to the type described above.

[0027] In order that the connector 42 can be rigidly supported on the brush cover 30, a generally circular buttressed plateau 54 is integrally formed on the top surface of the brush cover 30. In this way, the loading experienced at the region of joining between the brush cover 30 and the connector 42, when the cleaning device is in use, can be comfortably tolerated.

[0028] The embodiment described above is given by way of example only and various modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the provision of the male connector being associated with the brush implement and the female connector being associated with the shaft may be reversed. 

1. A brush implement for connection to a shaft or handle of a cleaning device, the brush implement comprising a head component provided with bristles extending from a bottom surface thereof, a cover component releasably engageable with the head component, and a connector formed on the cover component for releasably attaching the shaft or handle thereto.
 2. A brush implement according to claim 1, wherein the cover component further has an opening in a bottom surface thereto, and the head component is insertable in the opening of the cover component.
 3. A brush implement according to claim 2, wherein the cover component further has a lip formed adjacent to the bottom surface thereof and the head component is receivable in the cover component up to the lip.
 4. A brush implement according to claim 1, wherein the head component further has a flange abuttable with a bottom edge of the cover component.
 5. A brush implement according to claim 4, wherein the flange of the head component is flush with the bottom surface thereof and extends around a side wall of the head component.
 6. A brush implement according to claim 1, including a detent for releasably engaging the cover component and the head component.
 7. A brush implement according to claim 6, wherein the detent includes at least one catch on the head component receivable in an associated aperture in the cover component.
 8. A brush implement according to claim 6, wherein the head component is snap-fittedly engageable with the cover component.
 9. A cleaning device comprising a handle and a brush implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle is releasably attachable to the connector between the handle and the brush implement.
 10. A brush unit according to claim 9, wherein the connector comprises a male connector and a female connector, and an end of the handle attachable to the connector comprises the mating male connector including a boss formed with an internal socket and an outer surface surrounding the socket, and the female connector having a central spigot, adapted to fit in screw-threaded attachment within the socket, and a shroud at least partly surrounding the spigot, the outer surface of the boss being formed with projections which are frictionally engageable with the inner surface of the shroud of the female connector.
 11. A brush implement comprising: a) a cover component having an opening in a bottom surface with a lip formed adjacent the bottom surface; b) a head component with cleaning means extending outwardly thereof, the head component insertable into the cover component until abutting said lip; and c) a detent connection extending between said cover component and said head component for releasably connecting the head component to the cover component. 